The Price of Revenge: A Bloodstained History {closed temp}

[Shadow Dragon]

"And who is that?" Vormen asks.

"This is Archion Ironheart," replied the thief.

Brandon's head shot up upon hearing the name, "Ironheart?!"

That made me turn to him, "Brandon?"

"So, you know him?" asked the thief.

"I..." Brandon stuttered.

"A dragon of half-blood descent: of dragon and vampire, took part of the ancient war between this kingdom, and the Ironheart clan, or so the legend speaks. Is the legend a true one, your highness?"

"It is true," said Brandon as he calmed down, "I thought I recognized that name. We underwent a bloody battle many centuries ago. It was the last battle my father participated in...and the last time I saw him alive..."

"Hm?" Zelos turns to Ganondorf and Ganondorf2, "And what's your story on him?"

[ganondorf2]

"We have to deal with a massive dragon ourselves...funny how Archion looks like him. The only difference is Archion might lose against him as not only is our dragon is heavily armored but his blood is like lava and toxic. My friend is the only person that can handle all those things."

"Doesn't help he was the one that-" Ganondorf starts then cuts himself off, "I better stop, I might cause confusion."

[Shadow Dragon]

"Hmm," Zali pondered at Ganondorf and Ganondorf2's words.

"Mostly, Rhaegal," Brandon replied, "Rhaegal Ironheart is a dragon that my father fought and killed during the war." A memory then came to him, of a man cladded in armor riding away from battle on a brown horse, blood on the sword he held, "No...I remember seeing a man in armor escaping the battle on a war horse," he replied, "I assumed it was one of his followers, yet a lot of Rhaegal's other followers went with him in droves."

"Who is Archion? One of this Rhaegal guy's followers?" I asked.

"Rhaegal's son, and one of the survivors of the war, but that's all I know," then he questioned the thief, "you said he had some vampire blood?"

"I did. Archion is a draconic vampire, his father was a dragon and his mother was a vampire."

"'Rancid scent of dead blood'," Brandon recalled Blackfang's words, "so it must've been him."

"OK, so what does this Archion guy have to do with all that's happened?" asked Zelos.

"Archion possesses the power to revive monsters and demons to do his bidding," explained the thief, "As he revived three certain monsters, he accidently caused a chain reaction."

"What do you mean?"

"He's responsible for the revival of the three demons that caused the feud with Haku and Tikal,"

Vormen, Zelos, and I, looked at each other and shouted, "What?!!!"

[ganondorf2]

"Wait, do you know when this happened?" I asked.

"I was thinking the same, but at the same time, I don't think so. He's a demonic dragon, not a vampiric one anyway so he's not easy to control," Ganondorf said about our problem then thought, Great. I thought this whole revival was done and over with..."

[Shadow Dragon]

"So your situation was different," said the thief to Ganondorf, "as I said, he's of dragon and vampire."

This even surprised Brandon as he asked, "Care to explain?"

"Yeah, give us details!" said Ed.

The thief began to explain, "Archion found out about the demons through historical text books and figured he could use them for his revenge scheme on the kingdom. Upon finding out that the demons had been sealed away by a mage, he set off to locate them. On one seal, he had only succeeded in weakening it due to it's strength at the time. But, unfortunately, it was enough for the demon's aura to flourish from the seal and further weaken it, and affect anything that comes into contact. It caused the skies above to turn red and black, amplifying the other two demon's power and prepared them to break from their seals."

"So the guy wanted to take control of the demons?" I ask.

"Not all of them. Actually, Archion was only after the demon known as The Beast of Oblivion-"

That name sent a chill down my spine, "Beast of Obli...Kaiser!"

He nods, "Only he failed to realize that the demon, full of hatred, was unable to be controlled, and thus remained sealed away. Archion felt great terror from the beast, and was forced to flee and lay low, realizing the mistake he had made by weakening the seal." Again, he waited before continuing.

[ganondorf2]

"What do you think?" I asked Ganon.

"Is he able to revive other beings?" he asked, "I ask as my team had to deal with something like that."

[Shadow Dragon]

"Eventually, the leaked aura spread to different locations, not only rejuvenating the other two demons, but reaching and affecting two legendary dragons as well, causing them to fight each other."

A memory of the fight came to Haku, up to the moment where the skies became red and black, followed by two bolts of red lightning that struck him and Tikal. The aura both started and ended the fight. Was that caused by Archion?

"So everything we've been through these past few months was all caused by one man from one incident?" I ask.

"Yes, and while it was true that they fought in the distant past and it took a few people to stop it, it was no means 'legendary', at least not this last battle. I personally made up the 'legend' part-"

"Hold on, what?!" Zelos hissed.

"-to conceal the truth until now. NONE OF IT would've happened if it wasn't for Archion's greed and lust for revenge and power." officially confirmed the thief, "I'm so sorry you were caught in the middle of everything."

"Little too late for apologizes," said Vormen.

"And yes, to answer your question," said the thief to Ganondorf, "his revival powers extend beyond reviving demons, but it is limited."

A growing fury burned inside me, but I managed to keep my rage hidden, though not for much longer. I try and wait until the explanation was done.

"But what about the vortexes we saw earlier?" asked Samantha, "Was that caused by him, too?"

"I believe so," he nods, "if not, it might be leftover energy from the last time this happened, back during that draconic feud you were a part of." He turns to Haku, "That aura doesn't seem to be affecting you now, though. That proves Archion's leftover power is finally waning, but the danger is still present." However, he wasn't done with the explanation.

[ganondorf2]

Ganondorf went into deep thought into this info, planning something as he did.

I was trying to wrap this in my head as well.

[Shadow Dragon]

"After he found out about what the demonic aura did to them, Archion then moved onto trying to capture Tikal and Haku to use them for his scheme. I refused to let that happen as I knew both dragons would be in danger, so I made my way to the island where Haku resided to act as his guardian to prevent Archion from taking him."

Haku nods in confirmation.

"So, you capturing Haku-" Vormen started.

"Was a last minute escape as Archion was heading to the island at the time, and secretly conclude my theory of the connection between the dragons, the demons, and what Archion had done, by running phycological tests on the ancient river dragon," he replied.

"And by the time I tried to warn Tikal what was going to happen, it was too late," said Haku.

"Though my tactics were extreme, they were necessary given his instinct change in fear of him attacking me. Other than that, I honestly meant no harm to you."

"No need to apologize again." Haku smiled, "I told you, all is forgiven."

"So you were just trying to save Haku all along?" asked Zelos, "I find it hard to believe."

"A river dragon, a legendary dragon, and now a vampiric dragon," said Zali, "that sounds like a recipe for total disaster,"

"Well I'm still not buying it! I mean, you couldn't have possibly gotten all that information just by capturing Haku. Whatever it is you're not telling us, you'd better do it now."

"I agree," said Brandon, also sensing that the thief was hiding something even though he was telling the truth.

[ganondorf2]

"And a demonic dragon that might be lying in wait for the death of every dragon..." Ganondorf said, "That's what I foresee next."

"My thoughts exactly," I said, then to the thief, "Even I can tell you're holding back. Is it dread or fear?"

[Shadow Dragon]

"Great, just pile on the problems, why don't ya?" sighed Tristan.

"I suppose I've beaten around the bush long enough," the thief sighed, leaning against the wall where the paintings were, "no. I'm not scared. Actually...would it change anything if I told you...I was once one of Archion's followers?"

"HUH?!" Everyone in my group spat out.

"At least up until I realized what he's done!" he quickly added, anger rising as he got of the wall, "He recruited me after my village was destroyed by another dragon, promising that I would one day find and destroy the dragon that did it...only afterward did I find out that it was HIS OWN GODD*MN DAUGHTER that did it, and purposely spared me to turn me into his lacky!" he grabs the picture of Archion and throws it against a torn chair, piecing a hole in it, "so I plotted and later betrayed him, by capturing the river dragon to not only conclude my theory, but to relocate him and keep Archion from achieving his twisted goal!!"

My group and I were silent on this, until Brandon confirmed, "His words ring true, yet I don't approve of such harsh tactics."

"No one asked you, your highness," the thief hissed, managing to calm down.

"Well then tell me," Brandon brushed off the rudeness he was given, "would you have done the same with Tikal had you had the means to?"

"Of course," he replied, turning to said painting, "unfortunately, Archion is still after Haku and Tikal as well! Why do you think I'm here with Haku now?"

"Protecting me is one thing; I'm not much for physical confrontation, but don't waste your time and energy on Tikal," warned Haku to everyone, "he's too prideful to listen to humans, and he can handle himself!"

"Oh yeah, I forgot he's one of THOSE dragons," Zelos rolled his eyes, unimpressed.

Meanwhile, Brandon looks at the rest of us and shakes his head, instructing us to keep our mouths shut. After all, it wasn't our secret to expose.

[ganondorf2]

Ganondorf looks away as he hears something far into the distance and said, "Speaking of dragons with pride..."

"Don't tell me he's here," I said.

"I'm afraid so...I might as well tell you. He goes by Maxwell. Sadly, I don't know his last name but if you want someone to dread, it's him."

[Shadow Dragon]

I let out a chuckle, "F*cking unbelievable,"

"Eh?" Sparky looked at me to see that I was grinning from ear to ear, head down, "You OK, man?"

"Do...do you even realize...the TOTAL HELL WE WERE PUT THROUGH?!!" I suddenly shout, surprising everyone in my group as I rose my head, "And we find out it was all because of a half-dragon wanting revenge on something that bares no significance of today?!! All this time...and we-" I shut my eyes tightly, fighting back tears, "We d*mn near lost half of our group to those beasts, and we lost one friend to Kaiser!!"

The gang members were silent on this, as with Zelos and Haku. The thief shook his head, however.

"Archion was the sole cause of that mess, not I," said the thief, not wavering, "sorry for your loss, but you want your revenge? Then take your anger out on him."

Brandon turns to Ganondorf and Ganondorf2 after hearing them.

"What, now?" Vormen growled.

[ganondorf2]

Heavily armored wings were heard and Nova sighed to this, saying, "We got company, that's what."

He looks at the thief, and said, "Best you stay safe around him."

[Shadow Dragon]

Nothing was said from the man, but nods in response. The rest of us prepared ourselves for whatever was going to happen now. Great, as if we didn't have enough problems to face.

[ganondorf2]

Ganondorf on the other hand sported a smirk and said, "Looks like I have some explaining to do on him more, as well on myself."

"Ganondorf!! Show yourself!!" a demonic voice said.

"Quit whining! I'll be there in a minute!" he shouts back.

"I smell her and more...This will be a fine day indeed..."

"Guess we better leave before he tries to destroy the place while we are in it," I said, "He always hated my guts more."

[Shadow Dragon]

"Yeah, I'll say!" spoke Brian.

"After you," Ed said to Ganondorf, "after all, it's you he wants!"

"You're unbelievable, Ed," Zali snarled as he pushes him aside and takes the lead to walk out of the temple, "I'm already riled up from this whole godd*mn situation, so let's just get this over with."

"You're joking, right?" asked Sparky.

"We got, what, a total of 9 dragons here, plus two half-dragons?" he spoke about Nova and Ganondorf2, "I'm sure we can all take him at once."

[ganondorf2]

"Should we tell them?" I quietly asked Ganondorf.

"They'll see him before they get to the door," he said, "I know it."

Sure enough, a loud slam we heard and sure enough, the dragon's titanic size was seen, dripping with lava and toxins.

[Shadow Dragon]

As the group rushes out of the temple, they look up to see the towering titan of a dragon.

"Holy mother-" Tristan and Ed backed away.

"So what was it you were saying, boss?" Brian questioned Zali without fear.

"I didn't say a d*mn thing," fibbed Zali as he looked up at the enemy dragon.

Brandon glares at Maxwell. Haku showed no fear, but seemed impressed either way. Vormen and I were the last ones to exit and we spot Maxwell, too.

"Yep, that's him all right," Vormen sighed.

I didn't say anything.

[ganondorf2]

Maxwell looked at me with great hate and said, "If it wasn't for you past plans would have been at full strength and that clone would have been long gone!"

"Too bad," I said, "Nothing like it hitting you in the face and then some!"

The dragon looks at the building we came out of and said before looking at Shadow, "Oh, I see you found it...funny too."

"You know about it?" Ganondorf asked.

"Do I? I'm just waiting for the blood bath to finally begin."

[Shadow Dragon]

I gasp at that.

"Fantastic," sighed Vormen.

"So how long have you know about this, if you don't mind me asking?"

The others didn't bother getting involved as they didn't know Maxwell as well as we did.

[ganondorf2]

"Let's just say, being a demonic dragon allows to you sense...vampiric powers. I stayed back in human form and watched as this happened. Demons...everything," he said.

"So you knew about this from the start?!" I asked in rage.

"And then some! I was hoping you would all parish that day, but you are still breathing!"

"Want a rematch then?" Ganondorf asked.

"Gladly," he said.

"I might as well tell my full name then to the new guests: I am Neutron Nova N001. Code named Ganondorf and I'm a clone of an evil man of the same name or Ganon for short. I'm not him in the slightest, so don't worry," he said before snapping his fingers to change his look to be less armored as he continued, "Now to show you what I can do!"



"Come then!" Maxwell shouts, before the clone charges at great speeds at him, his cloak left on the ground.

Maxwell slammed his claw on the ground where Nova was to hear, as the clone dodged, "Missed me! You may be bigger, but speed isn't your strong suit."

"How about this then!" he said before blowing a wall of fire at everyone.

"Oh Mimic..." Nova sang a tune and this made his cloak rise and spread out, becoming giant and blocking the flames from everyone, "Did you forget I have a backup for things like that?"

[Shadow Dragon]

The gang stood back, not taking their eyes off Maxwell. They nearly took off running from the wall of flame just before seeing Ganondorf's cape block out the flames.

[ganondorf2]

Maxwell flies at Nova now, making him say, "Haven't you learned? I got some new tricks. Now I know no one will be able to see it but, I learned this from a new ally."

He spoke a different language for a moment before time stopped to which Ganondorf and Calamity punch the dragon high speeds before the clone turned his back to him as well the being disappearing. Ganon snapped his fingers making time do back to normal and we watch as Maxwell was sent flying hard and fast, blood flying before hear a thunderous slam of him landing as he said, "It's neat, but I feel like it's cheating. I just wanted to show that off."

I disappear while the dragon was down, plan in my head.

[Shadow Dragon]

Zali notices that Ganondorf2 had vanished, "Where the heck did your friend go?"

"Huh?" I turn and look around.

[ganondorf2]

Ganondorf turns to this, before hearing something else and said, "Hold the phone...you hear that?"

The sound of a helicopter was quickly heard to everyone as Maxwell tries to stand up from the blows.

[Shadow Dragon]

The sound of a helicopter caught me and my group's attention and we look around, hoping to spot it.

[ganondorf2]

{stop? lol}

That's when Nova spots the copter and said, with a smirk, "I should have guessed."



"You're not going to have all the fun!" my voice was heard from the machine.

"I needed a break for a moment anyway," he said laughing, "Be right back."

A pool opens under the clone and he disappears into it, while I fire missiles at the demonic dragon, hitting him in the face. Maxwell sent fireballs at me, only to see I dodged them quickly because of the speed, as I shout, "Brace yourself, everyone!"

[Shadow Dragon]

{lol! Nice catch! I meant spot.}

We decided to get out of the way for the time being, heeding Ganondorf2's words.

[ganondorf2]

{lol}

"How big is that thing?!" Maxwell shouts, seeing it was a giant.

"You got worse problems than judging size first," I said.

The copter flew sideways now, the blade cutting the ground like butter, and flew past the dragon three times at different angles. This made said ground unstable around the dragon and this made Maxwell fall into a pit that I made.